Srinagar, Sep 05 (KNO): Stating that the next 72 hours are crucial, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Friday directed officials to maintain strict vigil and plug in the breaches along the river Jhelum and other streams across Kashmir.
The Chief Minister, according to the news agency Kashmir News Observer (KNO) while chairing a meeting for the third consecutive day here to assess the flood situation in Kashmir directed the officials not to lower the guard till the situation becomes completely normal.
Pertinently, the incessant rains created a flood-like situation at multiple places in the Valley with many areas getting submerged amidst the rise in the water levels in river Jhelum and other tributaries.
The Jhelum was flowing above flood declaration mark till this evening at Pampore and Ram Munshi Bagh stations.
The Chief Minister stated that the next 72 hours are crucial. He asked the officials to maintain strict vigil and ensure that the breaches are plugged in without any delay.
He also stated that while the water has started receding, they cannot afford any complacency.
The Divisional Commissioner Kashmir briefed the meeting on the water levels at Sangam, Ram Munshi Bagh, and Asham, confirming that the Jhelum has receded below the danger mark. He informed that teams from the Irrigation & Flood Control (I&FC) Department, police, and other agencies are patrolling vulnerable embankments and reinforcing them with sandbags. Inundated villages in Shalina are witnessing receding waters, and relief measures are underway for displaced families.
On restoration efforts, the meeting was informed that water supply schemes are functioning with only minor disruptions, while power, telecom, and health services remain largely unaffected. Essential supplies are being routed through the Mughal Road, which has temporarily become the valley’s lifeline. The Srinagar-Jammu National Highway (NH-44) is expected to reopen tomorrow, with fruit-laden trucks currently being cleared in a phased manner via Mughal Road.
Deputy Commissioners of all districts also shared ground reports, confirming receding water levels in the Jhelum’s tributaries, including Lidder, Vaishow, Sandran, and Rambi Ara.
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah directed immediate reinforcement of embankments, evacuation from inundated areas, and round-the-clock monitoring through control rooms. He emphasized frequent field visits, timely advisories urging people to remain alert and avoid panic, and full public cooperation with the administration.
The Chief Minister further instructed officials to ensure uninterrupted arrangements for evacuees, maintain close coordination with police to uphold order, and counter rumour-mongering to prevent panic. He stressed the swift restoration of essential services such as electricity, water supply, and road connectivity, alongside a realistic damage assessment to guide relief and compensation measures.
“Deputy Commissioners must conduct realistic assessments of the damage caused to property, agricultural lands, and infrastructure. These findings will form the basis for projecting requirements to the Government of India,” he said.
To support immediate relief operations, the Chief Minister announced the release of ₹5 crore from the UT CapEx budget, in addition to funds from the State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF). He also asked Deputy Commissioners and Agriculture Department officials to assess damage to standing crops across both provinces. Highlighting the strategic importance of the Mughal Road amid the NH-44 blockade, he directed the Health Department to remain vigilant against potential water-borne and post-flood diseases.
Reiterating his government’s commitment, Omar Abdullah assured that safety, timely relief, and early restoration of normalcy in flood-affected areas remain top priorities. Notably, this was the third meeting chaired by the Chief Minister in the last three days to review the flood situation with a focus on rescue, relief, and rehabilitation.
The meeting was attended by Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Kumar Choudhary, Minister for Health & Medical Education Sakina Itoo, Minister for Jal Shakti Javed Ahmad Rana, and Advisor to the Chief Minister Nasir Aslam Wani. Also present were Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo, Additional Chief Secretary to CM, Additional Chief Secretaries Jal Shakti, Agriculture Production, Divisional Commissioner Kashmir, all Administrative Secretaries, heads of key departments, senior police officers, Chief Engineers of KPDCL, KPTCL, I&FC, PHE, R&B, BEACON and SAMPARK, Commandants of SDRF and NDRF, Director India Meteorological Department Kashmir, RO NHAI J&K, State Level Coordinator IOCL J&K, besides other concerned officers. Outstation officers participated through video conference—(KNO)